When you buy socks from John's Crazy Socks, you're doing more than adding fun to your sock drawer - you're helping to create meaningful jobs for people with differing abilities. You create happiness with every package.  

The Power of a Job 

A job means more than a paycheck. It means purpose, confidence, and independence. For our colleagues with differing abilities, work brings pride, dignity, and a place to shine. 

At John's Crazy Socks, more than half of our team has a differing ability. From packing orders to managing inventory, our colleagues do essential work, and they do it well. 

Mark X. Cronin, our co-founder and President, says, "Hiring people with differing abilities is not altruism, it is good business."

As John Cronin, our co-founder and Chief Happiness Officer, says, "My colleagues do such great work. We want the whole world to see that they are willing, able, and ready to work." 

Here are just a few stories that show the difference a job can make: 

Meet Andrew 

A high school classmate of John's, Andrew, became one of our first employees. We have watched Andrew mature and come out of his shell. He would not look or talk to anyone. While Andrew remains quiet, he now engages with all his fellow employees. Andrew has progressed from performing simple tasks under direct supervision to assuming a more complex role in our warehouse. 

Andrew knows the value of the work he does. He knows when payday comes, and he has his mother drive him straight to the bank to deposit his paycheck. Andrew is very thoughtful about what he will do with the money he has earned, as he worked hard to earn it. 

Meet Nick 

Nick first came to us as a student and participated in the work group. Over time, Nick developed skills and gained an understanding of what it meant to go to work every day. Nick earned a job here and is now one of our more enthusiastic sock wranglers. 

This is Nick's first paying job.It makes him feel so good about himself. When Nick received his first paycheck, we held a ceremony to present it to him. You can watch the video and see the joy that Nick expresses. 

Meet Maggie 

Maggie came to us as a seasonal employee and then earned her way to year-round work. She stepped up from working as a Sock Wrangler to helping with gift wrapping and packing orders. And when we had an opening for a cleaning person, whom we call Captain Clean, Maggie applied right away because she's always looking for more work to do.  

It's Not Charity—It's Good Business 

We don't give out jobs; everyone who works here has earned their job, and that is part ofthe dignity. Here is how Mark, our co-founder, explains it: 

If you get to know John, you will learn that he is a very nice guy; I am not. If you were going to work here, you need to produce. After all, you're running a business. Everyone who works here has earned their job, and that's part of the dignity in the process. They know they belong and they know they can do the work. No one is looking for special treatment or a handout. They simply want an opportunity to showcase their abilities. 

Inclusion Delivers Great Outcomes